Northpointe Chalet: A Contemporary Retelling of Northanger Abbey by Debra White Smith

Author:Debra White Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance;FIC042040;FIC027020;FIC042000
ISBN: 9781493414208
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2018-04-22T16:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

Reeling from the kiss, Kathy watched Ben leave and didn’t bother to acknowledge the customer. She looked down and realized she’d tortured a French fry into tiny bits. In a breath, Kathy recalled the unexpected kiss—a kiss that obliterated the memory of every passing crush she’d ever experienced for any other guy. This attraction to Ben Tilman was far more than infatuation.

Am I falling in love with him? Dazed, she stared out the window until she captured the last glimpse of Ben hurrying from the store. Briefly she went through a mental list, checking off the qualities of the man she would like to marry.

A man of strong faith and high moral character. Check.

Someone who’s dedicated to the church. Check.

A person I can respect. Check.

A hard worker. Check.

A guy who’s balanced and mature. Check.

Someone who knows who he is. Check.

He has to be willing to accept and respect me the way I am. Check.

Ben Tilman fit everything Kathy wanted in a husband. Everything and more. Kathy nibbled one of the salty fries as a disturbing realization trotted through her mind. I’m expecting more spirituality from my future husband than I’m living. While Kathy lived high morals, she wasn’t so certain if the faith she knew was her own or her parents’. And I don’t even want to think about my dedication to church these days.

Deciding the vein of her thoughts was too disturbing, Kathy went back to Ben. On top of everything else, he’s also attractive, a good dresser, and charming, she thought. With blue eyes that make me melt . . . and a kiss that rocks. Kathy touched her lips.

But he can be really weird and unpredictable. She frowned. Kathy could no longer doubt that Ben was drawn to her, but something about the attraction disturbed him. What, Kathy couldn’t determine.

Maybe I’ll figure it out tonight, she thought, or maybe Alaina will give me a clue.

“You don’t listen very well, do ya?” a gravelly voice challenged.

Kathy jumped and looked toward the person.

Thurston Manley placed both hands on the service bar and leaned toward her. Riveted by his gnarled features, Kathy stepped back until she bumped into the counter. Tempted to scream for help, she reminded herself there was no one to hear. Simultaneously, Kathy was astounded the man had slipped in without her noticing who he was.

“I know where yer goin’ tonight.” The smell of tobacco wove through Thurston’s claim.

“Y-you do?” Kathy stuttered and noticed a pack of thin cigars sagging from his shirt pocket.

“You bet I do,” Thurston drawled. “You’re goin’ to that darned chalet I tol’ you to stay away from.” His evil eye gave her the willies. While Kathy wanted to look away, she could not find the strength.

“H-how do you know that?”

“I’ve lived in this town my whole life. Nothin’s a secret ’round here! Get used to it. If ya sneeze, the whole town’ll know it by sundown.”

Kathy remained silent. Her heart pounding in her throat, she debated which was more formidable—the chalet owner or Thurston Manley.

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